A way from “First Step Georgia” Kutaisi branch to an independent organization “Bridge for Social Inclusion”

In 2010 The Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Affairs of Georgia launched a long-termed project on child welfare reform with the support of international and local partners. The project aimed at closing large scale institutions and developing alternative and family supporting care model and services  in Tbilisi and regions. “First Step Georgia” joined the above-mentioned reform in 2011 with the mission to develop family supportive services for the children with disabilities. In the framework of the project, First Step organized expansion of DCC service in Tbilisi, established a Day Care Centre in Kutaisi and developed Early Intervention program in Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi.

 Establishment of the DCC and development of EI program In Kutaisi were implemented based on the decision made by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Affairs and UNICEF. To ensure both of the programs, Kutaisi was selected because large amount of children (the quantity in need after Tbilisi) who needed DCC service and it should be noted that it was significant to launch EI program timely due to high referral of the infants with disabilities at  Tbilisi Infants House and again Kutaisi was on the second place (after Tbilisi). In 2011 as a result of collaboration  of  the First Step management and Kutaisi Municipality  the space was allocated for DCC and EI programs.

Renovation and equipment of the above mentioned space, as well as local staff training, was implemented with UNICEF support. In 2012 Kutaisi DCC and EI programs were launched. “First Step Georgia” professionals had been providing intense training courses and professional supervision for local specialists (teachers, psychologist, speech therapist and Early Intervention program specialists) that set the stage for formation of strong team of professionals of Kutaisi branch. It should be noted that they made a significant stride in terms of welfare of the children with disabilities.

Since 2012, EI program development was implemented by English and Georgian offices of  “Open Society Foundation” and their experts. In 2014 team qualification was significantly enhanced and it was accompanied by increase of number of beneficiaries of both programs- EI provides service to 50 children aged 0-7, DCC- 20-21 children aged 6-18.   A number of important activities were carried out  by local team of “First Step Georgia” Kutaisi branch which helped to raise public awareness regarding needs and problems of the children and youth with disabilities; as well different activities were implemented in terms of social integration.

This year activities implemented by Natia Gudava, Kutaisi Branch local Manager, Lika Mkhatvari- Program Coordinator and team of professionals, demonstrated their readiness for independent functioning. Consequently, a new organization “Bridge for Social Inclusion” was established in June, 2014,  which includes various specialists:- a special teacher, occupational therapist, speech therapist, EI specialists.

On 30^th July, 2014, a cooperation memorandum was signed between FSG and “Bridge for Social Inclusion” and in August, the organization “Bridge for Social Inclusion” was granted a space based on the memorandum between the organization and Kutaisi Municipality. In August “Bridge for Social Inclusion” was registered as a DCC and EI service provider in Imereti region. We congratulate them with their first steps of independence and believe a lot of  interesting initiatives will be implemented in cooperation with local government and partners. It should be emphasized that the local government and Mayer, Mr. Shota Murghulia show the readiness to support any initiatives in disability field. “First Step Georgia” will continue professional partnership with “Bridge for Social Inclusion”

We believe that Kutaisi will share its experience to all regions of Georgia to enable all the  children with disabilities get necessary services and get their social inclusion strengthened.